The Nation’s Confidence in the Economy Looks Brighter
One major change in the economic picture that’s occurred since the beginning of this year is that “we’re starting to see improvement in terms of sentiment,” according to Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). He gave a third-quarter update via webcast July 21. “When I meet with manufacturing leaders around the country, I’m often asked: have we hit rock bottom?
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Valve Repair Takes Center Stage in Houston
Attendees gathered June 2-3 in Houston to discuss a number of topics of concern to professionals in the valve repair and service industry.
#maintenance-repair
U.S. and Canadian Concerns are Worldwide Concerns
During the recent meeting of the European Congress of the Valves and Taps Industry (CEIR) in Lyon, France, the 55 representatives from 11 different European nations discussed issues that closely mirror topics of concern to the valve community in the United States and Canada.
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Are We Bringing Back U.S. Jobs?
We first introduced readers to the Reshoring Initiative and its founder and president, Harry Moser, in the Winter 2013 edition of VALVE Magazine.
Industry and Regulatory Changes in Offshore Operations
On May 13, 2016, the offshore oil and gas industry received an important safety update from the U.S.
#standards
Five Solutions to the Skills Gap
“Over the next decade, nearly three and a half million manufacturing jobs will likely need to be filled, and the skills gap is expected to result in 2 million of those jobs going unfilled.” That is the conclusion of a recent report commissioned by The Manufacturing Institute.
Highlights from VMA’s 2016 Leadership Forum
The latest Valve Industry Leadership Forum, held March 22-23 in Denver, was attended by key personnel from VMA member companies.
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Finding and Developing the People We Need
If industry is to address one of its most significant problems—the lack of skilled workers—it must face two realities: 1) the millennial generation, which in 2015 surpassed all other groups as the largest in the labor force, is significantly different than the generations that proceeded it, and 2) the toolbox for attracting and retaining millennials is different as a result.
Safety All the Way at VMA’s 2016 Technical Seminar
To meet the increasingly stringent environmental and safety standards instituted by governments and standards boards, manufacturers and users alike must be constantly aware of changes and challenges for which they are ultimately responsible.
#VMAnews #standards
Four Systems to Significantly Improve Operating Performance
In today’s highly competitive business environment, every company should continually strive to improve every aspect of its business.